The Rosegarden of Light ProjectCelebrating the music and culture of Afghanistan​

“At a time when we are bombarded every day by images of the world in crisis, The Rosegarden of Light is a joyful celebration of musicians who share a fundamental right to express themselves through the universal language of music.” - Blackmore Vale Magazine

Background

Music was entirely banned in Afghanistan as recently as 2001. That ban continues in some parts of the country, while musicians remain targets in other parts. Throughout history musicians have been silenced as a means to stifle the voices of a group of people: The Rosegarden of Light provides an opportunity for these voices to be heard on an international scale as the courageous people of Afghanistan rebuild and reaffirm their centuries-old musical and artistic culture.

The Rosegarden of Light Project is, at its roots, a peaceful reaction to a vicious act of violence. In December 2014 the courageous young students of the Afghanistan National Institute of Music (ANIM) were performing musical accompaniment to a play in Kabul that was the target of a suicide bombing. The explosion severely wounded Dr Ahmad Sarmast, the deeply respected founder and director of ANIM.

This act of violence directly against the arts shook the students, faculty and partners of ANIM, but did not break their spirit. The Rosegarden of Light Project was born in response to this tragic event, and has come to represent all that can be accomplished when people decide to respond to an atrocity with open hearts and a passion for a brighter future.

The project is a collaboration across three nations to show solidarity and support for the young musicians of Kabul and all they stand for. 'The Rosegarden of Light' is a 16th Century title used to reference the region that is Afghanistan. The title refers both to a specific piece of music – Sadie Harrison’s Gulistan-e Nur: The Rosegarden of Light for youth ensemble and string sextet – and to an ongoing series of performances, lectures and events worldwide aimed at raising awareness of Afghan music and culture.

It is also the title of the album released by Toccata Classics and featuring Cuatro Puntos (an American ensemble), Ensemble Zohra (theonly female musical group in Afghanistan), the Junior Ensemble of Traditional Instruments (a group of young men from ANIM,) and the music of Australian/British composer Sadie Harrison.